CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Alice was happy and thankful St. Albans had been by her side when she heard Lord Normanby speaking to his friends. Despite all her lessons in deportment, she probably would have caused a scene. She still wanted to hit the scoundrel. And it was better to have found out what he was up to now and not after they had wed. Alice could not believe she had been so stupid, so blind. She had been so intent on finding a husband she matched him to her list without being certain he was qualified. When she looked back on their conversations, she realized she had attributed the requirements to him when he had not objected to anything she had said. And why would he? All he wanted was her dowry. What would he have done when he discovered that he would not have control over it? It did not bear thinking about.

"It might help if you had a good cry," Grace said.

They were in her parlor with a glass of wine each. "I am more disgusted with myself than sad."

Her sister narrowed her eyes. "Did you not love him?"

"I thought I did." Alice tried to be analytical in thinking how she could have allowed herself to be "in love" with him. "I think I was more in love with the idea of being in love and having a husband."

Grace nodded. "I understand. I do not think any of us considered how alone you would feel if Eleanor and Madeline wed first." She moved over to Alice and hugged her. "I should not have left you so much on your own."

Tears pricked Alice's eyes as she hugged her sister. "I have been lonely and feeling left behind. I can see now how much I rushed into wishing to wed him." Not wanting Grace to see her tears, Alice blinked her eyes. "I am glad St. Albans was with me."

"Matt told me what he did by watching over you."

Alice had been told that just before the ball, St. Albans had found out what the cur was up to. "He is a good friend."

Grace reached for her glass of wine. "He appears to be."

"I want to write a letter to tell that blackguard I never want to see him again." If Alice couldn't hit him or run him through with her parasol sword, she had to do something to take control of the situation. "Even though Matt is writing to him warning him not to approach me again, I think I should say it as well."

Her sister nodded. "That is wise. He might, after all, believe you are still interested in him if he does not hear it directly from you."

"I agree." The clock chimed the hour, and she slumped. "I am very tired."

The worried look appeared in Grace's face again. "I shall wish you a good night."

Alice finished her wine and rose. "I will see you in the morning."

Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she left the parlor. She did not want to cry. Especially over such a horrible, deceitful excuse for a person. People married for money all the time, but to hide his circumstances and to plan to break his vows before they were even made was inexcusable. It was more than that, it was cruel and unforgiveable. She swiped at her cheeks.

I will not cry over him!

When she got to her chamber, Bertram was waiting. "Let's get you ready for bed. Miss Posy is already in bed."

"How?" Alice shook her head. "Thank you."

"What's a dog for if it can't provide a bit of companionship." Her maid began unlacing Alice's gown. "Let's get you to bed. You'll feel better after a good sleep."

She did not think she would sleep well at all, but after the Dane snuggled in, the next thing Alice knew was the sky was beginning to lighten. First, she would have a ride, and then she would write a letter. Swinging her legs out of the bed she padded to the screen to brush her teeth. She hoped St. Albans was at the Park. Once dressed, she started down the stairs and stopped. He was standing in the hall petting Zeus.

St. Albans glanced up. "Good morning. I'd met Miss Posy, but I didn't know you had Master Zeus as well."

Alice was stunned that St. Albans was behaving as if it was the most normal thing in the world to be greeted by a Great Dane. "Yes. Ever since Grace and Matt wed, we have had two. He had one before they married, and we had one as well."

"That makes perfect sense." St. Albans glanced at the dog. "I must be on my way." He gave the Dane one last stroke and held out his arm. "Shall we? Galyna was being brought around just as I arrived."

"Yes, of course." Alice could not believe he was here to escort her riding. "Thank you for coming to fetch me."

He shrugged quickly. "I rode past the Park and didn't see you."

"You came to see how I was?" She had not realized how truly kind he was.

"Oh, no." St. Albans grinned. "I knew you would be fine. I merely wished to honor myself by escorting you."

She did not even try to cover her laughter. It felt so good. "Thank you, in any event."

"You are quite welcome."

He lifted her onto her mare and swung gracefully onto his gelding, and they rode out of the square. A few minutes later, they were racing to the oak tree. Then they walked the horses to the Serpentine. "I have decided to write to him and tell him I want nothing to do with him again. Matt is writing to him as well."

Interesting. Apparently, Normanby would no longer have a name. "Wise." Giff was pleased Alice had made the decision, but he was concerned the scoundrel would not give up. That though, would not be a problem. He planned to remain close enough to her that nothing could happen. "What are your plans for the morning? Hatchards?"

"I suppose so." That was uttered without much enthusiasm.

"Is there something else you would rather do?"

Alice gazed across the Serpentine. "I would dearly like to hit something."

He didn't blame her at all. He studied her profile. She said she knew how to fight. He could box with her and let her hit him. "I can help you with that."

Her head jerked around to him, anticipation in her eyes. "Would you? When?"

"Whenever you wish." Giff wondered if he ought to ask her brother-in-law first, then dismissed the idea. He had to have countenanced the activity before in order for Alice to have learned.

She nodded. "Yes. I would like that."

"I am at your service, my lady." For the rest of our lives.

They trotted back to the gate, and as they were about to go through, she said, "Would you like to break your fast with my family again?"

Just the thought of spending more time with her made his heart beat harder. "I would, indeed. Yesterday, I found the conversations fascinating. I still don't know how the children manage to hold their own discussion without interrupting the adults."

Alice laughed. "I do not know how it happens either. Somehow it just works."

"I will change and meet you shortly."

"I shall see you soon." She rode away, and he waved to her before riding up Park Lane to Cleveland House.

Giff quickly washed, dressed, and grabbed a bag with boxing gloves in it in the event he needed them. Hitting Normanby had felt damn good. It was no wonder Alice wanted to experience the same pleasure. She might not be able to hit the object of her ire, but she could hit someone. There was, after all, a reason some gentlemen frequented Jackson's Boxing Salon. Giff was beginning to think it was a pity ladies did not have the same sort of outlet for anger. Then again, most men would shake in their boots if their women could knock them down. But could a female gain the advantage of a gentleman if he knew what was coming? Or would it have to be a surprise?

His carriage came to a stop outside of Worthington House. He jumped down and strode to the door. Williams, Alice's footman, opened it and bowed. "The family are gathering in the breakfast room. If you will follow me."

"Lead on."

They went not to the same room Giff was in the day before, but to a much smaller, cozier one. The family had not yet taken their seats.

"St. Albans." Alice glided to him. "I am glad you are here."

"Come, it is time to eat," Lady Worthington said.

He helped Alice take her chair, then sat himself. A pot of tea, then a rack of toast arrived. The other foods were much the same as before.

"What are your plans today, my dear?" Worthington asked his lady.

"I am catching up on some of the accounts this morning."

"Do not forget the balloon ascension is tomorrow afternoon." Lady Mary's tone was matter-of-fact. Almost too prosaic. What was she up to? "Are you going to attend?"

Lady Worthington gave her youngest sister a narrow-eyed look. "I had not planned on it."

Gideon and Elizabeth's eyes had flown wide at the mention of the balloon. Giff was about to invite them, but Alice put a staying hand on his arm.

The little boy sat straighter. "Mamma, Elizabeth and I would like to see the balloon."

"Will you take us, pleeeese?" The pleading look in little Elizabeth's eyes made Giff want to say yes.

Her ladyship exchanged a look with her husband, who winced. She glanced back at the children. "I have stipulations."

Elizabeth nodded her head so hard Giff was afraid she'd do damage. "Anything, Mamma."

"Very well. We will take the landau, two nursemaids and two footmen. You may move in the carriage to get a better look. You may not leave the landau for any reason whatsoever." She looked from one child to the other. Both nodded.

"I want verbal ascents."

"I will not leave the carriage no matter how much I want to," Gideon said, making the sign of a cross over his heart.

"I will not leave the carriage even if I wish to," Elizabeth said. "I promise."

"Very well. We will attend." Her ladyship did not appear happy. Yet, for some reason, Giff didn't think she would mention it to Lady Mary.

She exchanged an almost covert glance with Lady Theo, and the two of them continued eating.

Alice removed her grip on his arm and continued her meal as well. When she'd swallowed her last piece of toast, she said, "St. Albans and I are going to practice boxing this morning. Which room should we use?"

He almost barked a laugh when Lady Worthington smirked at her husband.

Worthington looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes and addressed Alice. "The back parlor. I'll have the servants roll up the carpet and push back the furniture. Will you use gloves?"

That wasn't a question Alice had been expected to be asked. "I do not know?" She turned to Giff. "Will we?"

"I would like to have them in the event we wish to use them." He'd let her get her anger out of her system hitting him. If they wanted to actually spar, they could use the gloves.

"Well then," Worthington said. "It appears as if all of our next two days have been planned."

His wife gave him a wide-eyed look. "What will you be doing tomorrow, my dear?"

The corners of his eyes crinkled. "I shall accompany you to the ascension. If you do not mind."

The corner of her lips tilted up slightly. "Not at all. We will enjoy your company."

The children smiled happily but remembered to finish their breakfast.

And that was how it was done. What could have been a disaster or at least an argument was calmly settled. He could imagine he and Alice having discussions like that. In fact, many of her expressions were much like her older sister's.

As soon as the meal had ended, Worthington stood. "Alice, I will need your letter. You may write it while the parlor is being prepared."

"Straightaway." She rose.

Giff got to his feet. "I can help you if you'd like. Just to ensure it is worded in a way he must accept."

Her forehead wrinkled, and Lady Worthington said, "I think that is a wonderful suggestion. The males of the species frequently do not understand when a lady is serious."

Alice placed her hand on Giff's arm. "We will use the morning room."

Her ladyship motioned to one of the servants. Giff tucked Alice's hand into the crook of his arm. "You can refer to him as a maggoty runagate, a rubbishing commoner who is from the gutter." Behind them someone barked a laugh. "A curst rum touch who is not worthy to look upon you."

She glanced up at him. Sorrow filled her lovely blue eyes. "Or I could just tell him he is a black-hearted scoundrel that I never want to set my eyes on again. And if he does not stay away from me, he will wish he was never born."

"You can write that as well." Giff wished he could hold her in his arms.

She raised her head. "We will think of something appropriate that he cannot mistake."

"We shall." She led him to the morning room. It was painted an almost yellow cream. The curtains had a light yellow background and were decorated with a profusion of colorful flowers. Painting, some excellent, some not, filled the walls. Two large sofas stood across from each other with a long table between them. Other chairs, some wooden, some covered in chintz were arranged in disparate seating areas. Small tables of various woods and colors stood next to the chairs and at the end of the sofas. He'd never been in such a comfortable room. At Cleveland House, even the morning room was more formally arranged. Only his mother's parlor could be called casual. Long windows and a set of French windows covered one wall, which led to the garden. The other outside wall was also lined with windows. Light flowed into the parlor. A small cherry desk and a large dark ash rectangular table were also in the room. He could imagine games being played on the larger table.

Alice took a piece of foolscap, the standish, and a pen, and set it on the large table, then lowered herself into a chair.

Giff sat next to her. "The first thing to do is decide how to address him."

Her lips formed a thin line. "I had thought to start by writing Lord Blackguard."

"That would make you feel better, but it would also allow him to believe you were merely angry and could forgive him."

"Harrumph." She pulled a face.

Giff suppressed his grin. "Allow me to suggest merely writing Lord Normanby."

"Very well." She wrote the name. "Now what."

"You need to let him know that you are aware of his plans." Giff caught her gaze with his. "Remember, as far as anyone realizes, you did not hear him."

She took a breath and let it out. "True. We were supposed to have been on the terrace the whole time. Matt would have told me."

"Yes." Giff watched the emotions cross her mien as she thought. Anger combined with calculation. He was very glad he was not on the receiving end of that letter.

"I will say my guardian has informed me that you intended to wed me merely for my dowry."

"He will of course deny it."

"He would." She was quiet for a minute or so. "I will say that I know for a fact he is betrothed to another women. I am appalled he would court me when he is promised to another. Do not approach me again. I will have nothing to do with a person who would betray the trust of another no matter her status."

That was actually a very good way to put it. And it was something he couldn't explain away. "I think that might do it."

Alice stared at the paper on the table. "I would really like to send it on foolscap."

That might indicate to the cur how low she thought him. However, it would not set the tone that she was too good for him. "But you know you must send it on pressed paper."

"I know." She took a piece of pressed paper from a small stack.

"As soon as you're finished, we can get to fisticuffs." Giff hoped that would make her feel better. She was so brave. Still, at some point she would have to admit her pain. Hopefully, she would be able to do it while hitting him.